Benjamin Marsden (1838-1897)
Benjamin Marsden (1838-1897) of Samuel Marsden and Son
1897 Obituary [1]
BENJAMIN MARSDEN, born in Manchester on 25th November 1838, was the elder son of Mr. Samuel Marsden, by whom the Manchester Bolt and Nut Works were established in 1845.
Under his father he acquired there a thoroughly practical knowledge of the business, which for the last thirty years was entirely in his own hands. His invention of a bolt-heading machine gave an impetus to machine bolt-forging, and with it he made use also of several other bolt- forging and nut-making machines. Machine-tool making for bolt and nut manufacture was gradually added to the business, and about thirty descriptions and sizes of tools were constructed, giving employment to about 400 men.
For the large lock-gates and other works on the Manchester Ship Canal, most of the bolts and tie-rods used were manufactured at his works. As a result of visiting the United States he introduced an oil-fuel furnace, which was adopted throughout the works for the forging of bolts and nuts by machinery.
After some years' suffering from bronchial troubles, his death took place after a short illness on 30th January 1897, at the age of fifty-eight.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1887; and was also a Member of the Iron and Steel Institute.